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Posted: 1/24/08

Four Hand Organ Playing Featured at Sunday TAMIU Recital

 

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Texas A&M International University’s College of Arts and Sciences department of fine and performing arts invites the community to “Organ Recital in Duo” featuring guest artists Elaine George Ehlers and Madolyn Douglas Fallis on Sunday, Jan. 27 at 4 p.m. in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts (CFPA) Recital Hall.

The performance is free of charge and is open to the public.

The afternoon program includes an engaging mix of offerings-selections from Bédard’s Sinfonietts, Dinda’s Max Cat Rag, Mozart's Fantasia in F# Minor, K. 608, Bizet’s Carmen Suite No. 2, Paullus’ Paean for Organ Duet, Robert Ampt’s Theme and Variation on "Waltzing Matilda" and Bölting's Toccata Française.

Traced back to the Baroque at the beginning of the 19th century, four-hand organ playing was especially popular in pieces written specifically for the organ. Today, four-hand organ playing has begun to reclaim its popularity as seen with the numerous pieces written by contemporary composers.

Oklahoma native Ehlers studied organ at the University of Oklahoma where she received a Bachelor of Music. She continued her organ studies in Paris, France, on a Fulbright scholarship and studied with the late Pierre Cochereau, organist of the Cathedral of Notre Dame.

Ehlers has since served as organist for the United Methodist churches in Kermit, Fort Worth and Dallas. In San Antonio, she works as a freelance organist and currently serves as director of the arts at Coker, a series of programs that celebrate the performing and visual arts.

Fallis, also originally from Oklahoma, has lived and worked in San Antonio since 1963.  Fallis earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Bethany Nazarene College.

She continued her studies with Master of Music degrees from the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas at San Antonio.

She is currently artist-in-residence at Christ Episcopal Church in San Antonio and serves the American Guild Organists as councillor for Region VII.

For more information, please contact the department of fine and performing arts at 326.2654 or visit offices CFPA 217.

For an updated calendar of University events and activities, visit the University's Web site at tamiu.edu and just click on “Events.”

University office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday.


Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu